People who contracted the plague in Freedom Port were shunned by everyone; he survived only because he carried the token of the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce.

Ayala brought him back to the small courtyard and immersed him in a water bucket.

「The next day.」

Ben regained some of his sanity, spoke a few simple words, and even joked with Leon.

Still, it was obvious that his mood was very gloomy.

「The third day.」

He asked for some good food and locked himself in a room to eat it all.

「The fourth day.」

"Ben left."

Ayala crouched at the door with lifeless eyes, wanting to cry but unable to shed any tears.

"He said he wanted to go to the seaside alone to take a look."

"Uncle..."

Carl, with his hands clasped behind his back, gazed toward the endless sea, feeling Ben's presence drifting away, gradually disappearing into the waves.

***

「Main World.」

「Black Swamp.」

A wooden boat slowly emerged from the mist.

"Bro."

Heidi stood at the bow, blinking her eyes, and curiously asked, "What does this 'Carl' look like?"

"Men don't care about appearances." Lawson stood up, adjusted his tall Wizard Hat, and smiled, "To fearlessly stand up for his senior apprentice sister as a Knight against an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice—his character is what truly deserves respect."

"Right." Heidi nodded repeatedly. "He must be a handsome and valiant man."

"Then you'll be disappointed." Lawson shook his head. "Although I've not seen him, I've heard from others that Carl has a scar on his face."

"It might not meet your aesthetic standards."

Upon hearing this, Heidi's expression fell slightly, but she quickly perked up and released a Messenger Pigeon.

「Not long after.」

HUM...

The toxic miasma ahead dispersed, and Hibell, dressed formally, waved and motioned to them, "Welcome!"

"Two friends from the Cottage on the Hill."

...

Hibell had built several new houses on the island, one of which was specially for entertaining guests.

"Let me introduce."

She smiled and gestured, "These two are the disciples of Advanced Wizard Apprentice Sidric: the brother, Lawson, and the sister, Heidi."

"Their island is known as the Cottage on the Hill, not far from here."

"Him!"

Pointing at Carl, Hibell said, "My junior brother Carl. I believe you've heard his name."

"Of course." Lawson bowed respectfully. "Adolf's disciple, the fearless Knight, Basic-level Wizard Apprentice Carl. I am Lawson; it is a pleasure to meet you."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Heidi's eyes, but it vanished quickly as she also curtsied to Carl.

The man before her was indeed quite ordinary-looking.

The two had come to familiarize themselves and also out of curiosity about what kind of person Carl really was.

Lately, Carl's name had spread throughout the Swamp Alliance.

Wizard Apprentices are mostly aloof, but that doesn't mean they don't recognize certain codes of the Knights.

The younger apprentices, in particular, held Carl's actions in high admiration.

"Lawson."

Carl extended his hand. "Please have a seat, you two. Are you siblings?"

Both siblings possessing Wizard Talent was a very rare occurrence.

"Yes." As they sat down, Lawson, clearly used to such questions, responded with a smile, "We are twins and, coincidentally, both possess Wizard Talent. We study together under our tutor."

"Hmm..."

After hesitating, he spoke again, "I am an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice. Heidi, due to lesser talent, is still just a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice."

There was no real need to share the specifics of their cultivation levels; he did so to show goodwill.

"Different Wizard Talents?"

Hibell blinked. "Who would have thought twins could have different Wizard Talents."

"Yes," Heidi sighed. "I only have a level four Wizard Talent. I heard, Carl, your Wizard Talent is also level four, so we're the same in that regard."

"In wizardry practice, a slight difference can mean a lot."

"Yes," Carl nodded.

He certainly wouldn't admit that he hadn't felt it, since his practice so far had almost entirely depended on aggressive Potion usage.

The pace of his progress was incredibly fast. Not even those with level three Wizard Talent, let alone level two, could likely keep up with him.

"I've been busy building a house and arranging the island, so I haven't had time to visit," Hibell started to explain. "In a few days, I will definitely go and meet the nearby neighbors."

Speaking, she shot Carl a look.

She had been busy building the house and had no time. As for Carl, it was unclear what he had been doing; he was hardly seen at all.

The thing is, Carl had set up many Witchcraft Traps around his own house, clearly not wanting to be disturbed.

This man... Truly heartless!

"Welcome!"

Heidi rested her chin in her hands, looking envious as she said, "I really envy you both, having nearly six years free from the various tasks of the Alliance."

"We can't; we still need to earn points."

Adolf had achieved great merits for the Swamp Alliance, thereby granting both Carl and Hibell a period of leisure.

An independent island, a rich inheritance, and no need to do tasks—they could focus on their cultivation for the next few years.

It indeed made one envious.

"Points?"

Hibell's lovely eyes twinkled. "I was just about to ask, if I were to do tasks, how many points could I earn? And what can those points be exchanged for? You..."

"Hmm..." Heidi considered, then said, "If you do tasks, you don't need to allocate a portion to the Alliance for rest time. The points you earn can be distributed as you wish."

"As for what can be exchanged... Magic Stones, Potions, materials, books, even witchcraft can be exchanged, as long as someone in the Alliance is offering."

Hibell's eyes lit up.

She planned to take on tasks.

Exploring the Black Swamp was short of hands; as long as one was willing to work, the Alliance was generous with point rewards.

Knowledge offered by an Official Wizard—something unthinkable in the past—could now be exchanged for points.

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